Query: Salam Alykoum. I have emigrated from Sudan to US and lived there for almost 20 years. I became a US citizens and gave up my Sudanese citizenship even though I can keep both citizinship in both countries.
Sudan rule by Islamic law and in America we have freedom of religion and we have mosques. I love America, and have my home there, and my understanding that a Muslim should love the land he lives in as long as he is not asked to do anything prohibited in Islam.
I wrote and said the following oath upon taking US citizenship: “I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen; that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform noncombatant service in the Armed Forces of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform work of national importance under civilian direction when required by the law; and that I take this obligation freely without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me God.” Did I commit any apostasy (kufur) by saying and writing the above oath?
Answer
This is a national oath of allegiance that has to do with obtaining the American nationality and has nothing to do with Islamic Sharia.
If you have agreed on these terms and conditions to obtain the American nationality and made this national and constitutional pledge of allegiance to the American Government, then you should keep your pledge.
The prophet (Peace be upon him) said: “Muslims abide by their conditions.”
These conditions are considered of the sovereignty matters obliged. If this oath and all it implies doesn’t serve your best interest, then consult your heart.
Sources: Al-Azhar Al-Sharif